Page 3 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

world. The child population data reveals that there are 158,789,287 children in
the age group 0-6 years which is 13.12 percent of total population as per Census
Notes 2011.(http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/india/
paper_contentsetc.pdf)

2.2.1.1 Demographic Profile of Children in India

Statistical figures indicate disadvantage faced by large chunks of the population.
The figures are distressing due to uneven distribution of economic resources,
lack of access and awareness. Lack of resources and low buying power leads to
ill health, high-density living and unhygienic living conditions. Certain figures
provide an idea of the poor state of health of children and ability of families to
provide for children. As in most countries, many surveys have been conducted
to understand the state of children in India. Let us see comparative figures from
surveys conducted in 2005-2006 and in 2015-2016.The data from Fact Sheet of
the Fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-2016) conducted by
National Institute for Population Studies (http://rchiips.org/nfhs/pdf/NFHS4/
India.pdf) shows that Child population (0–6 years) is 158 million. This has not
changed in the last 10 years. There has been a decrease in fertility rate besides
other features of population indicators such as use of birth control methods or
improved health status. The male to female child sex ratio has marginally gone
up in ten years from 914 to 919. The ratio is lower in urban areas indicating a
gender bias for male children in cities and towns.

Despite high population density and insufficient services,several factors have
contributed to marginal rise in the state of India’s children. More families have
access to health care and awareness to ask for support for newborns. There has
been a rise in taking assistance of trained medical personnel for birth of babies.
More children are surviving and getting immunised.

2.2.1.2 ChildMorbidity and Mortality
Child mortality refers to total number of child deaths under the age of five years
per 1000 live births. Infant mortality is the death of young children under the
age of one year. This death toll is measured by the infant mortality rate (IMR),
i.e the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1000 live births.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_mortality).

There is an increase in institutional births, and there is more medical attention
for newborns. In 2015-2016, 2.5% of newborns received medical attention
within 24 hours as compared to 0.3% ten years ago.

Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) has gone down from 57 to 41 in the last ten years.
Reasons for lack of survival are infection, disease and lack of hygienic living
conditions.
Under Five Infant Mortality Rate (U5IMR) has also come down by 24 in ten

14 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION